Sydney Uridel
It is the giving season, and one way to give back is to donate small everyday items in order to help veterans.
FCCLA, or Family Career and Community Leaders of America, was holding a veterans drive for students to bring in donations such as new or used stockings, clothing, toys, bathroom needs, bedding, and coloring supplies.
This was an opportunity to give back to the many people who have served in the past but are going through a difficult time now. The donations go to veterans and their families who currently live in the shelter, or currently moved into housing with little to no possessions or necessities.
If students donated, they had the chance to win a gift card because they were entered into a drawing once they did. The more items a student donates, the higher chance they have to win a prize.
Sophomore FCCLA member Sydney Braunscheidel was looking forward to the veteran drive and thinks students should participate in it.
“I think people should partake in this because it is a great way to be involved in the community. It is important because veterans have done so much for us and giving back to them is a small way to show how we appreciate all they have done,” Braunscheidel said.
Junior FCCLA member Taylor Thompson has more to say on this, Thompson as well thinks this is very important and will help many people.
“This will help people realize how much they take for granted and how lucky they are to have so much and get more during this holiday season. This will also give them an opportunity to appreciate and support veterans who have served in our country and are going through a tough time now,” Thompson said.
This is an important drive for FCCLA not only because of the good it is doing for veterans and the community but also because this is one of the first community service projects they have done at Stow.
“In the past, FCCLA has not done anything like this but we are planning on including more community service into our club this year and plan to continue this in years to come,” Braunscheidel said.
Students get a chance to make a positive impact on their community during the holiday season, and support veterans and FCCLA by participating in this drive.
If anyone is interested in donating, they can bring in any donation listed on the flyer seen around school and drop their donation off in room 152. This particular drive is from November 12 to December 7 of 2018. Other donations are accepted by the shelter any time.